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Vijay Kumar, MD

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Vijay Kumar, MD
(5 Reviews)
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227 W JANSS RD STE 345 THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91360
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Consumer Feedback

(5 Reviews)
Service
3.5 star average for Service
Environment
4.5 star average for Environment
Expertise
4.5 star average for Expertise
Staff
5 star average for Staff
Recommended
5 star average for Recommended
ov. 20, 2013: Doctor and patient have the same goal in mind--to arrive at the correct diagnosis. According to Joshua Kosowsky, MD, co-author with Dr. Leana Wen of the book When Doctors Don’t Listen: How To Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests, the first step on the journey toward reaching that goal is a good story.

Dr. Kosowsky, clinical director of the emergency department at Brigham and Women's Hospital and assistant professor of emergency medicine at Harvard University, spoke at Concordia College's Books & Coffee event on November 14 about the challenges both doctors and patients face in today's health care delivery environment. He offered ways to make some positive changes.

According to Dr. Kosowsky, a good diagnosis is based on a story effectively told and listened to. Heavy daily caseloads, however, along with related paperwork and administrative duties, have limited the time available to doctors to interact with patients. Patients are often subject to a bombardment of questions to gather data that, in an attempt to save time, doctors apply to algorithms, or formulas, designed to arrive at a diagnosis.

"Perhaps the only way we can get doctors grounded again is to empower patients to empower their doctors," Dr. Kosowsky said. The problem, he added, is not that doctors don't receive training in listening to patients, it's that in the real world of medical practice, patients and their stories often become a secondary priority to the other daily work required of doctors.

Dr. Kosowsky describes a diagnosis as a journey rather than a destination, a practice that leads patient and doctor toward a better understanding of what is really going on with a patient. "In order to figure that out, you're going to need some kind of story to lead you on one path or another," he said. "Doctors need to work with patients to understand their story and get to the diagnosis."

Storytelling is an art, Dr. Kosowsky noted, and all good stories have a beginning, middle, and end. All good stories have a trajectory designed to get to the point. These factors are especially important to remember, since the doctor will probably interrupt the patient's story to ask questions within 18 seconds of the patient's beginning to speak.

Dr. Kosowsky urged patients to know all the facts of their symptoms and histories and to practice their stories many times before they actually need a doctor and especially before an emergency arises.

"We all hope that health care reform will bring us to a better place," Dr. Kosowsky said, "but this is something we can all do at the ground floor when we go to our doctor. Every health care provider can be engaged."
by justme xxx.xxx.249.171
July 21, 2014
Was it clear that this provider takes pride in the appearance of his/her office?
Yes, the office was well organized and taken care of
Was this provider willing to stay open late to accomodate your needs?
Sometimes, but most of the time they don't
Has this pulmonologist ever cancelled your appointment on you last minute?
Never, they are very reliable
Was it easy to make an appointment with this pulmonologist?
I waited longer than I wanted to, but it wasn't terrible
Did this provider leave you unattended for an extended period of time?
I was left alone for a while, but it wasn't too long
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.170.243
December 02, 2013
Did this provider seem up-to-date with the current advancements in their field?
Yes
Does this provider remember you and your circumstances at every appointment?
Yes
Was there annoying music playing while you waited or during your visit?
No, there was no annoying music
Was this provider's office too cold?
No, it was fine
Did this pulmonologist listen to your input and concerns?
Yes
by Samora xxx.xxx.159.23
June 27, 2013
Did this provider answer all of your questions?
Every question I had was answered thoroughly
Was this provider's staff friendly?
Yes, they went above and beyond
Did you leave the office feeling satisfied with your visit?
Completely!
Was this provider's office easy to locate?
Absolutely! It couldn't have been easier!
Are you going to visit this provider again?
Without a doubt!
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.46.197
July 10, 2012
Does this pulmonologist give unbiased advice?
Absolutely! I always get sound, helpful, and completely unbiased advice!
Did this provider ever dismiss your concerns as unimportant?
Never, they go out of their way to address every concern of mine immediately
Would you refer this provider to a family or friend?
Yes, I'm going tell everyone about them. I absolutely love this place!
Is this provider willing to pursue advice from other providers when necessary?
Yes, they were willing to ask for advice when necessary
Did you feel like this provider's office was understaffed?
Not at all, they had plenty of staff members to help me whenever I needed assistance
by Anonymous
January 16, 2012
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227 W JANSS RD STE 345, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91360